I am working on a charm quilt with 2 1/2 inch squares. I started cuttting squares out of my pre-washed stash at home. I needed more fabric (of course) so I ordered a 2 lb. bag of scraps from someone on etsy. The scraps I ordered are anywhere from a few inches to 1/4 yard but they are not washed. Here's my problem: Should I wash and then press 2 lbs of fabric scraps or should I just leave them unwashed and hope that they don't shrink more than the other squares? Seems like I should probably wash and press but boy does that sounds like a lot of work!

Sounds like too much work to me,

I do not prewash anything. I know the quilt police will hunt me down but I don't prewash:)

They may react differently when the quilt itself is washed. Some squares will shrink - some won't.

I would be more concerned about bleeding than shrinking. I rinse small scraps under the faucet and squeeze in an old white towel. I press them with a hot iron while they are still damp. Yep it is a lot of work, but so is making a quilt.

I have bought lots of bulk scraps from etsy and ebay, I have had to wash most due to odors etc. Just be prepared to get comfey, (My ironing board lowers so you can sit)put in a good movie or audio book and press away! I really don't mind pressing, I worked 4 hours last night pressing scraps I sent out today as a donation. It becomes quite meditative :)

I wash scraps if its from an unknown source. I would rather know before I sew if the fabrics has any issues such as bleeding or excessive shrinkage. I use a laundry bag.. the type used for delicates. But I do throw them in the sink with water to weed out the bleeders, before they go into the washer.

I do not prewash

Look at it this way, ironing them will really allow you to study they design and colors-I actually enjoy doing that with smaller pieces. I do, however, dread having to iron YARDS of material, say for backing!

If you wash a bag of scraps, you are likely to pull a big, wadded, matted, tangled thread mess out of your dryer when you're finished!!!! I would not wash them but instead spray and iron them. Good luck to you.